Electric switch



April 7, 1931- G. J. MEUER 1,799,920

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Deo; 13, 1929 Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE .'r. NEUER, 0E MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, AssIeNoR 'ro cUTLER-HAMMER, INC.,

or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A coRroRArIoN E DELAWARE Y ELECTRIC sWITcII Application led December 13, 1929. Serial No. 413,736.

This invention relates tdkimprovements in electric switches, and more particularly to improvements in electric switches of the? slide button type.

j' An object of the invention is to generally improve and simplify the details of construction of the switch parts to facilitate assembly thereof, and to render such switches/more trustworthy in operation.

Another object is to provide novel means for insulating the wiring terminals of the switch. l

Another and more specific object is to provide stationary and movable contacts of novel form together with improved switch actuating means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that the embodiments illustrated are susceptible of modification in certain details thereof without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a single circuit controlling switch constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view7 on the 3o line 2-2 of Fig. 1,-the contactor and the terminal screws being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, in separated relation, of the switch parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2,-the insulating barrier members hav# ing been omitted for clarity of illustration.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a so-called three-point vor multiple circuit controlling switch constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 5 is al vertical sectional view, on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4,-the contactor and terminal screws being shown in elevation.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, in separated relation, of the switch parts shown in Figs. 4 and 5,-the insulating barriers being omitted; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the insulating barrier members or wiring shields.

Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the numeral 10 designates in general a sheet metal fra-me or housing of substantially inverted channel shape, said housing having a top wall 11 provided with extensions or ugs 12 and 13 which are preferably perforated in the manner indi- Icated at 14 and 15 to provide for securement p of the housing to a suitable support. The substantially parallel side walls 16 and 17 of said housing are provided at the lower edges thereof with integral lugs 18 and 19. p

Wall 11 of the housing is provided with a. rectangular perforation 20, the side walls of said perforation being adapted to guide and the end walls thereof being adapted to limitvthe reciprocating movement of the projecting portion 21a of the actuating slide button 2 lThe movable contactor 22 of the switch preferably comprises a convex or hemispherical bridging head 22b and a substantially cylindrical shank 22a. The bowed leaf spring member 23 is provided with a perforation to accommodate the shank 22,-an integral upwardly extending flange surrounding said perforation to strengthen the spring at this point and to insurealinement thereof with respect to said shank.

The base of the switch preferably comprises a punched plate or disk 24 ofrelatively thin insulating material. Positioned upon the upper face of base 24 are the stationary contacts 25 and 26 and positioned on the lower face of the base are a pair of identically shaped terminal plates 27. As shown each of the contacts 25 and 26 is punched or stamped from relatively thin sheet metal, and I therefore provide the adjacent edges of said contacts with bent portions or ribs 51 and 52. When contacts 25 and 26 are attached to the base the adjacent ribs 51 and 52 provide a groove of predetermined depth therebetween into which the bridging head 22'of the contactor is adapted to it,-said head being movable from one side to the other of the rib 52 into and out of engagement with the rib 51. As shown, contact 25 is provided with a rib 51 at opposite edges thereof,-but the additional rib is merely intended to permit assembly of the Contact to the base in either of two reverse relations. Contact 26 is preferably provided with a relatively small perforation to provide a vsocket or seat for the bridging head 22b when in oii' position.

Integral with the contacts 25 and 26 are downwardly projecting pairs of lugs 29, 30 and 35, 36; the lugs 29, 30 being adapted to penetrate registering perforations 31, 32 and 33, 34 in base 24 and one of the terminal plates 27, and the lugs 35, 36 being adapted to penetrate registering perforations 37 Q 38 and 33, 34 in the base and the other of said terminal plates,.-the lugs of each pair being then bent outwardly in opposite directionsl over the terminal plates to secure the respective' groups of elements to each other and to the ase. vEach of the terminal plates 27 is provided 'with a tapped opening 41v Vi'or cooperation atively thin flat portion`21b which underlies, the wall 11 of the frame; said portion 21b bein provided on its lower face with a longitu inal groove or channel 58l which is adapted to accommodate spring 23 and to prevent relative lateral movement therebetween. Intermediate the length of groove 58 is a recess59 to'accommodate lthe iange or collar 23a on the spring; and concentric with said recess 59 is a recess 60. within which the shank 22a of thecontactor is adapted to slide.

In attaching the terminal' plates 27 I referably interpose between the same an the base24 the base portions 53 of a pair of insulating barrier members or wire guards, said base portions 53 having jperforations54, 55 to register with the groups of perforations 31, 32, 45 or 37,38, 45 in the base 24. Said base portions 53 are' preferably of substantially elliptical contour, and extending downwardly at substantially right angles from one curved edge of each is an integral flangeY 56 which acts as a guard or barrier at the adjacent sides of the respective terminals and their binding screws.

Assuming attachment of the contacts and terminal members to base 24 in the manner aforedescribed, and further assuming positioning of the spring and contactor within the slide button 21 and location of the latter within the frame, the switch parts may be assembled as a whole by causlng the lugs 18, .19 of the frame sides to penetrate the perforatiens 61, 62 in base 24,--said lugs beingthen bent outwardly over the base to rigidly and permanently secure the parts with respect to each other.

' The switch parts are shown incircuit making position i-n Figs. l and 2, whereas obviously u on movement of button 21 to the-1:;`

right to lts opposite extreme position, the

the associated contactor 22 may be identical with those aforedescribed. lDuplicate end contacts 26 and terminal plates 27 therefor may likewise be provided. In this form,

however, the contactor is required to have two on positions and an intermediate off position.y Accordingly a relatively longer frame 63 is required, the upper wall 64 of said frame having an elongated rectangular perfo'- ration to guide and limit travel of the'projecting portion 7 6 of the actuating slide 'button 7 6,-the thin base portion 7 6b of said button being provided with a longitudinal groovey or channel 77, and l said button being provided with concentric recesses 78 and 79 similar to those aforedescribed.

The insulating base 80, which is of sub- .stantially rectangular contour, is provided with groups of perforations 88, 89, 45 and 90, y91, 45 to respectively provide for attachment of end contacts'26 and their terminal plates 27 by means of the lugs 35, 36 ofthe former, and to provide clearance for the Shanks of the binding screws.

The internediate stationary contact is relatively narrow and is provided in its surface '86 between the ribs 44, 46 at opposite edges thereof with a relatively narrow slot 87, the lWalls of which are adapted to provide a seat for the head 22b of the contactor in its integral lugs 35, 36 which project downwardly through perforations 92, 93 in base 80 and through perforations 97, 98 in the armsl 95, 96 of ya substantially U-shaped terminal member 94. y The downwardly offset portion 99 of said terminal member is thus adapted to provide suiicient clearance for the shank of its binding 'screw 43 beneath the insulating base 80, thus obviating any possible interference Y, with the proper movement of," the bridging contactor of the switch.

The manner of assembling the switch 'parts will be apparent from, the foregoing descrlp'- tion,-it being noted that the parallel sides 67, 68 of the frame 63 are each provided at their lower edge with pairs ofl integral lugs 69, 70 and 71, 72 which register with notches 81, 82 and 83, 84 in o posite sides of base 80,7.- the opposed pairs o lugs being bent inward-l ly toward each other and against the lower face of the base to secure the switch parts in assembled relation.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electric switch, in combination, a relatively thinqpunched base of insulating material, a plurality of stationary contact members each comprising a thin metal stamping having a body portion lying flat against bent over said terminal plates to rigidly secure all of said parts to each other, said terminal plates having tap-pcd openings and binding screws for cooperation therewith, said base and said contact members having registering perforations to accommodate the shanks of said screws, the adjacent ends of said contact members being formed into parallel ribs, and a spring-pressed convex .contactor movable selectively into and out of bridging relation to said ribs.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a relatively thin punched base of insulating material, a plurality of stationary contact members each comprising a thin metal stamping having a body portion lying flat against the upper face of said base, punched metal terminal plates lying flat against the lower face of said base, said contact members having integral lugs and said base and terminal plates having registering perforations, said lugs penetrating said perforations and being bent over said terminal plates to rigidly secure all of said parts to each other, said terminal plates having tapped openings and binding screws for cooperation therewith, said base and said contact members having registering perforations to accommodate the shanks of said screws, the adjacent ends of said contact members being formed into parallel ribs, and a spring-pressed convex contactor movable selectively into and out of bridging relation to said ribs, said contactor being arranged for continuous engagement with one of said contact members and being engageable with a socket or recess in the latter upon movement of the former out of bridging relation.

3. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a flat punched plate of insulating material, spaced sheet metal contact members on one face lof said base and sheet metal terminal members on the opposite face 'of said base, means integral with said contact and terminal vmembers for rigidly securing the same to each other and to said base, each of said contact members being formed of relatively thin material and the adjacent ends thereof having .ribs formed `therein to provide' a groove of predetermined depth therebetween, a contactor having a convex head portion adapted for movement into and out of bridging relation to said contacts, an insulating slide button having a recess, said contactor having a shank portion slidable within said recess, spring means interposed between said button and said contactor to bias the latter into engagement with one or more of said contacts, a sheet metal housing having a slot through which a portion of said button is adapted to extend for limited sliding inove- -ment with respect thereto, said housing being' adapted to retain said button and said contactor in assembled relation to said base, and means integral with said housing to provide for attachment thereof to a suitable support.

4. In an electric switch, in combination, a

base comprising a flat punched plate of' inl sulating material, spaced sheet metal contact members on one face of saidbase and sheet metal terminal plates onthe opposite face of said base, means integral with said contact members and said terminal plates for rigidly securing the same to each other and to said base, an insulating slide button movable across the face of said base, said button having a channeled lower end, an outwardly bowed spring member located within said channel and held thereby against lateral displacement, said button having a centrally located substantially cylindrical recess, said spring member having a perforation registering With said recess, and a contactor having a shank portion penetrating said perforation and slidable within said recess for positioning thereby, said contactor having a convex head to be moved into or out of bridging relation to said contacts upon corresponding movements of said button.

5. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a Hat punched plate of in- L sulating material, spaced sheet metal contact members on one face of said base and sheet metal terminal plates on the opposite face of said base, means integral with said contact members and said terminal plates for rigidly .securing the same to each other and to said base, an insulating slide button movable across the face of said base, said button having a channeled lower end, an outwardly bowed spring member located within said channel and held thereby against lateral displacement, said button having a centrally located substantially cylindrical recess, said' spring member having a perforation registering with said recess, and a contactor having a shank portion penetrating said perforation and slidable within said recess for positioning thereby, said contactor having a convex head to be moved into or out of bridging relation to said contacts upon corresponding movements of said button, each of said contact members being formed of relatively thin material and one of the same having a rib formed therein to resist such movements of said contactor and to increase the degree of compression of said bow spring.

6. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a relatively thin punched plate of insulating material, a plurality of spaced stationary contact members lying flat against the upper face of said base, a plurality-of terminal members located on the lower face of said base, said base and said vterminal members having registering perforations and said contact members having integral lugs penetrating said perforations and bent over said terminal members to secure said partse in assembled relation, two of said contact members having ribs formed at the adjacent ends thereof, the third contact member being located between said other contact members and having ribs formed at each end thereof,

all of said ribs being arranged in parallelism with each other t`o provide grooves of predetermined depth therebetween, and binding screws having threaded f engagement with each of said terminal'members, said base and said end contact members having registeringperforations to accommodate the shanks of certain of said binding screws, the intermediate terminal member having va downwardbent over said terminal members to secure 1 sald parts l`1n assembled relation, two of said Contact members having ribs formed at the adjacent ends thereof, the third contact m mi ber being located between said other cont ct members and having ribs formed at each end thereof, all of said ribs being arranged in parallelism with each other to provide grooves of predetermined depth therebetween, binding screws having threaded engagement with each of said terminal members, said base and said end contact ,members having registering perforations to accommodate the shanks of certain of said binding screws, the intermediate terminal member having a downwardly offset portion whereby -the shank of its binding screw is accommodated below said base, and insulating barriers located between the respective terminal members, said lbarriers each comprising a atbase portion to be clamped between one of said end terminal members and the base, each of said base portions having an integral flange l extending downwardly from a curved edge thereof.

8. -In an electric switch, in combination, a

vbase comprisinga relatively thin punched plate of insulating material, a plurality lof spaced stationary contact members lying flat against the yupper face of said base, a plurallty of terminal members located lon the lower face of said base, said base and said terminal members having registering perfo-A rations and said contact members having mtegral lugs penetrating said perforations and bent over said terminal members to secure said parts in assembled relation, two of said contact members having ribs formed at the adjacent ends thereof, the third con-y tact member being located between said other contact members and having Iribs formed at each end thereof, all of said ribs being arranged in parallelism with each other to provide grooves of predetermined depth therebetween, binding screws having threaded engagement with each of said terminal members, saidh base and said. end contact members having registering perforations to accommodate the shanks of certain of said binding screws, the intermediate terminal member having a downwardly offset portion whereby the shank of its binding .screw is accommodated below said base, insulating barriers located between the respective terminal members, said barriers each comprising a fiat base portion to be clamped between one of said end terminal members and the base, each of said base portions having any integral flange extending downwardly from a curved edge thereof, and a contactor adapted for continuous'engagement with 'said intermediate contact and movable in opposite directions over the ribs formed on the llatter to effect bridging engagement with Said end contacts selectively.

9. In van electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a relatively thin punched plate of insulating material, a plurality of spaced stationary contact members lying flat against the upper face of said base, aplurality of terminal members located onthe lower face of said base, said base and said terminal members having registering pierforations and said contact members having integral lugs penetrating said perforations and bent over said `terminal members to secure said partsl in assembled relation, two

of said vcontact members having ribs formed at the adjacent ends thereof, the third con'- tant member being located between said other contact members and having ribs formed at each end thereof, all of said ribs being arranged in parallelism with eachother to provide grooves of predetermined depth therebetween, binding screws having threaded engagement with each of said terminal members, said base land said end, Lcontact members lhaving registering perforations to accommodate the Shanks of certain of said binding screws, the intermediate terminal member having a downwardly offset portion whereby the shank of its binding screw is accommodated below said base, inslating barriers located between the respective terminal members, said barriers each comprising aat base portion to be clamped'.

f n a between one of said end terminal members and the base, each of said base portions havling an integral flange extending downwardly from a curved edge thereof, a dontactor adapted for continuous engagement with said intermediate contact and movable in opposite directions over the ribs vformed ron the latter to eEect bridging engagement 1 with said end contacts selectively, said cont`actor` having a convex bridging portion and a shank, a slide button having a recess within which said shank is adapted to slide,

plate of insulating material, a plurality of against the upper face of said base, a `plurality of terminal members located on the lower face of'said base, said base and said terminal members having registering perforations and said contact members having integral lugs penetrating said perforations and bent over said terminal members to secure said parts in assembled relation, two of said contact members having ribs formed at the adjacent ends thereof, the third contact member being located between said other contact meinbers `and having ribs formed at each end thereof, all of said ribs being arranged in parallelism with each other to rovide grooves of predetermined depth t erebetween, binding screws having threaded engagement with each of said terminal members, said base and saidend Contact members having registering perforations to accommoL date'l the Shanks of certain of said binding having a downwardly offset portion'wli'ereby the shank of its binding screw is accommol ldated below said base, insulating barriers located between the respective terminal members, said barriers each comprising aflat base -portion to be clamped between one of said end terminal members and the base, each of said basegportions having an integral flange extendingvdownwardly from a curved edge thereof, a contactor adapted for continuous engagement with said intermediatecontact and. movable in opposite directions over the engagement with said end contacts selectively,` said contacter having a convex bridging portion and a shank, a slide button having a recess within which said shank is adapted to slide, a plate spring interposed between bowed downwardly to biassaid bridging portion in a corresponding direction, a substantially inverted U-shaped frame rigidly secured to said insulating base and engaging said button to. retain `the latter and said contactor in assembled relation to said insulating base, said lbutton having a portion pro-I jecting upwardly through a slot in said frame, and said slot having end walls to limit the sliding movement of said button.

11. In a device of the characterl described,

the combination with an insulating base, of

a punched metal terminal plate secured thereto, and an insulating barrier member' compris-4 tially inverted channel shape rigidly secured spaced stationary contact members lying fiat t said plate, said frame having a rectangular slot in the upper wall thereof, an insulating button having a portion slidably engaging the lower surface of said upper wall and a portion engageable with the Walls of said slot to guide said button and to limit endwise movement of the latter, said button having a rchannel in the lower face thereof, a bow spring located within said channel and restrained thereby against lateral displacement, said button havingconcentrically arranged cylindrical recesses, said bow spring having a perforation and an upwadly extending flange surrounding said e foration, said flange being accommodate by the larger pfl said recesses, a contactor having Ia shank penetrating said perforation and slidable within the other of said recesses, said shank being adapted to restrain said spring against substantial endwise. movement within said l gchannel, and a convex head portion on said' screws, th'e intermediate terminal vmember scribed my name. f f

i GEORGE J. MEU'ER.

' ribs formed on the latter to effect bridging said bridging portion and said buttonand 

